Argumentative Essay On Animal Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy is basically what it sounds like: patients seek comfort and psychological aid from endearing, devoted pets. Of course, there is more to it than that. Centuries of extensive studies and research have supported the positive effects of animal therapy. By lowering depression and anxiety levels, this form of treatment, or even simply owning a pet, can calm a patient in the uneasy hospital atmosphere, and reduce stress for those with mental disorders in their everyday lives (Rathsam, 2002). A service animal assisting aiding an ill person is nothing new; however, it is typically associated with apparent, physical disabilities. For this reason that there is less skepticism in that field (Sanburn, 2013). An emotional support …show more content…
Years later, Sigmund Freud continued this study, then Dr. Boris Levinson, and then Dr. Samuel Corson, and many researchers in between and after (Gilmer & Goddard, 2015). Animal therapy most commonly takes place in hospitals, especially children’s hospitals. It has also been known to console those in rehab centers, nursing homes, and the homes of the patients themselves. People of any age and any circumstance can heal emotionally from animal therapy. As well as those with psychological disorders, it is beneficial for those with physical ailments to help cope with stress of surgery and recovery (Rathsam, 2002). Being in contact with an ESA, or even a pet, increases the production of a “love hormone” called oxytocin in the brain, which helps to relieve the host of their stress and anxiety (Healthy Years, 2015). Animal therapy can be beneficial to people of all ages, with a variety of symptoms, and stuck in many different circumstances. Some examples are children with school phobia (Scallion, 2010), recovering alcoholics (Grady, 2009), or women with antepartum high-risk pregnancies (Women’s Health Weekly, 2015). There can be complications with the owner trying to fit the animal into their everyday lives, as a result of others not understanding the importance of them. For example, it would be difficult for a person to own a therapy animal if …show more content…
This is not regarding the treatment itself, but the support, or lack thereof, from the public and the American Disabilities Act. It states that a service animal must be trained for the purpose of carrying out specific tasks for the disabled person, which applies to seeing-eye dogs and helper monkeys, but not ESAs (Ryan, 2017). Sadly, this means they are not protected by federal laws. One can find ESAs in some hospitals and retirement homes, but it could be difficult or even impossible for a child to bring an animal to school, or a traveler to bring one on an airplane. Even worse is that some cannot have an ESA at all because their landlord forbids “pets” (Sanburn, 2013). Albeit very audacious and seemingly unrealistic, I propose that through petitions and letters, the people persuade the U.S. legislative branch to make adding a regulation to the ADA amending this issue. Every millennial knows the advantages of social media, and using that to our advantage is key. Online petition-forming websites are well known and a reliable place to start – I for one used to be an active member of Change.org. Big changes such as this could take along and unpredictable amount of time, so until then the best course of action is to simply be sympathetic. A person with no visible handicap carrying an animal in public does not always mean they were brought along just for pleasure. It would be best for all to be patient and considerate of people such